Myrna Clayton is a teaching performer and international performing arts entertainer. She has performed professionally for 14+ years. Myrna, who has an MBA, enjoyed a successful corporate marketing career prior to professional singing. She currently teaches voice lessons privately and conducts master class vocal clinics when performing internationally. Her repertoire is varied, including Jazz, Pop, Soul, Gospel, RnB, and even a little Blues and Country. Internationally, Myrna has performed throughout Russia, Belarus, Germany, Nigeria, Great Britain, and France. She started a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works with singers with disabilities and books artists with disabilities for shows. She recognizes the talents and abilities in diverse groups and seeks to encourage them to come into the spotlight. Myrna believes that everyone, regardless of perceived ability, can train their voice to be flexible, powerful, and persuasive, for deeper personal fulfillment. Her goal is to help students take their craft to the next level.

Arts Disciplines: Music, Coaching Performance

Core Content Curriculum Areas: Music, ADA/Special Needs

Specialized Content Areas: ADA/Special Needs, Arts Integration, World Cultures, STEAM, Character Education, Anti-bullying

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, College/University Students, ADA/Special Needs

Special Populations: At-risk Students, Special Needs Students

Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia

Program Fees:

• Performances:
  • Solo Performances with Accompaniment Tracks start at $600
  • Performances with Trio start at $1,500
  • Performances with Jazz Orchestra start at $5,000 (plus travel and lodging)
• Workshops:
  • Music-ability Workshop (for special needs students):
  • $45/child per day inside the perimeter
  • $55/child per day outside the perimeter + travel and lodging
  • Plus $25/hr for pianist
• Residencies:
  • Youth Vocal Workshop Clinic:
  • $1,500 per week inside the perimeter
  • $2,000 per week outside the perimeter + travel and lodging
  • Plus $25/hr for pianist

Artistic Profile:

Myrna Clayton is a teaching performer, cultural artist, and an international performing arts entertainer based in the USA. Myrna has performed professionally for over 14 years, though she has been singing since the age of 5. She has an MBA and, prior to transitioning to singing professionally, she enjoyed a successful career in corporate marketing and as an adjunct college professor. Myrna currently teaches voice lessons privately and conducts master class vocal clinics when performing internationally. Her repertoire is wide and varied, including Jazz, Soul, Gospel, R&B, Pop, and even Blues and Country. Her musical perspective enables her to express lyrics in a smooth, jazzy, classic vocal style. Internationally, Myrna has performed throughout Russia, Belarus, Germany, Nigeria, Great Britain, and France. She enjoys learning songs indigenous to the region in which she performs and learning to pronounce the lyrics “correctly.” She is engaging to watch and a joy to listen to. Professionally, she is called “The Songbird” because of her noticeable God-given gift to sing. Myrna is a compassionate person and a natural teacher. She started a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to meet the needs of people with disabilities and underserved communities through music and art. She actively works with a group of singers with disabilities and books artists with disabilities for shows. That said, she recognizes the talents and abilities in diverse groups and seeks to encourage them into the spot light to let their lights shine brightly. Given the dynamic changes in the music industry and her astute knowledge of strategic planning, Myrna also offers workshops to artists on “the business of music.”

Teaching Experience:

Myrna is academically and classically trained in flute from 6th grade at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta under ASO’s Charles Bradley, through college (Marching, Concert, and Jazz bands), and experientially trained in voice since the age of 5 by singing in choirs, groups, and ensembles. Myrna has been informally teaching for 25+ years. Professionally, she is a private voice teacher (4+ years), vocal performance coach (10 years), and has been an adjunct college professor of business (2 years). Myrna also conducts master vocal clinics when she performs internationally (for 3 years). Because of her special interest in under-served communities, Myrna also works with singers with disabilities (for 3 years) to build their vocal range, as well as their onstage confidence. With high demands for all of her students, Myrna is a compassionate teacher with the natural gift to motivate and inspire. As a Teaching Performer, she works with professionals and students to help them take their craft to the next level. She believes that the human voice is not limited and that everyone can have a beautiful, expressive voice, no matter what previous experience may have been. She believes that everyone, regardless of “perceived” ability, can train her or his voice to be flexible, powerful, and persuasive and that full vocal expression leads to deeper personal fulfillment.

Sample Programs:

• MUSIC-ABILITY (for students that fit into ADA classification)
  • Three-day Workshop – 2* hour sessions (for ages 10+)
  • Concepts:
    • Build self-esteem/confidence and break through the fear factors
    • Showcase abilities without focusing on their individual challenges
    • Music appreciation
    • Finale concert to showcase abilities
  • Minimum number of students per class: 5; Maximum number of students per class: 12
  • NOTE: Parents (caregivers) must remain on site while workshop is underway.
  • *1-2 hr sessions depending on make-up of class and students’ temperament 
• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN SING!
  • Vocal/Performance Workshop (for ages 10+)
  • Minimum number of students per class:  10; Maximum number of students per class:  25
  • Five-day Workshop – 2 hour sessions
  • We cover vocal basics that lead to excellent on-stage performances:
    • Posture
    • Phrasing
    • Breathing
    • Matching pitch
    • Articulation
    • Harmony
    • Finale concert to showcase talent
  • If time allows, we also teach about careers in entertainment other than singing.
  • NOTE: At least one teacher’s aide must stay on site while workshop is underway.

Sample Lesson Plans/Study Guides:

• So You Think You Can Sing Workshop Outline
• So You Think You Can Sing Workshop Course Overview and Lesson Plan
• Music-Ability ADA Workshop Outline

• Listing ID: 6033